Language and literacy development includes a broad range of ongoing skills in young learners such as:
Vocabulary: the collection of words a person knows and uses. It includes the ability to recognize and understand words and how to use them effectively in any type of communication.
Print awareness: understanding that written text holds meaning, follows specific rules, and can be a representation of language.
Letter recognition: the ability to identify and name letters of the alphabet.
Early writing: initial attempts at writing, such as drawing letters or scribbling.
Comprehension skills: the ability to understand and interpret written, spoken, signed, and other forms of communication
Language and literacy activities for preschoolers can focus on developing and fostering these skills in a fun, play-based way. Neurodivergent preschoolers have unique strengths and learning styles and benefit most from games and activities designed specifically for them.
With that in mind, here are five at-home language and literacy activities designed specifically for the neurodivergent learner.
Before Starting: Learn About Your Child’s Sensory Needs
Up to 95% of neurodivergent learners, especially autistic learners have sensory differences. Supporting these sensory differences will maximize learning for your child. So, before starting any activity, make sure to create a sensory-friendly environment for your child to maximize learning. A quick way of creating a sensory-friendly environment is to address the major five senses (visual, auditory, tactile, etc) in a space.
Tips for Creating a Sensory-Friendly Learning Space at Home
Reduce Noise Levels
Avoid rooms where there is a television, music, noisy people, or other distracting noises
Reduce Visual Distractions
Use a low-traffic area away from family gathering places like the kitchen or living room
Maintain a stress-free and supportive learning atmosphere
If you notice your learner is becoming tired or stressed, take a break!
Include movements needed for your learner.
Movement breaks like Jumping jacks, Simon Says, a mini trampoline, dancing, yoga, and stretching are simple and easy ways to give some learners the brain break they need
If your child likes movement while learning, find a table or space where your child can stand, giving them the freedom for movement while learning. Another alternative is a wobble chair.
Address tactile sensory differences.
s, Soft cushions, stools, yoga ball chairs, etc., may be more comfortable for your learner than a traditional table and chair.
Make sure clothing is comfortable for the child as well
For visual sensory differences
Try to use natural lighting and avoid fluorescent lights Reduce visual sensory stimuli and find an area that has less artwork or colorful walls or wallpaper
Provide their preferred stimming items, fidgets, and other stimming toys that can be used during activities to help with engagement
5 Literacy Games and Activities for Neurodivergent Learners
We’ve compiled a list of fun literacy games and activities for neurodivergent learners ages 2-7. However, each child is unique, and their interests and developmental skills may vary, making these games appealing to a wide range of learners of all ages. Each of these games and activities can be done at home, some with the help of a parent or caregiver and others independently.
Interactive Book Reading
This game is perfect for 1-2 players (plus an adult)
You Will Need:
A book
How to Play:
Have your child choose their favorite book or get some new ones from the library.
After reading the book, ask each reader to choose a character in the book to focus on.
Ask your readers to play out different characters in scenarios found in the book.
Then ask your readers to expand on any scenarios in the book - embrace any creative choices made by each reader!
Interactive stories can help neurodivergent preschoolers develop comprehension and vocabulary skills, while simultaneously creating great memories!
Cost: Free
Parent/Caregiver participation: Actively Involved
Screen required: No
Recommended age: 4-7 y/o
Multisensory Magnetic Word Building
This game is perfect for 1-2 players.
You Will Need:
A magnetic space (fridge, cookie sheet, magnetic board, etc.)
Letter magnets
Different textured paper (smooth, rough, etc)
Word picture cards (optional) or GoManda App
Set up:
Cut and paste different textured paper onto the magnetic letters.
How to Play:
Give your learners the custom set of magnetic letters with a magnetic surface
Show a picture card of a familiar item or use the GoManda App to show an item
Ask your learner to recreate the word shown below using the multisensory letter magnets.
Cost: $3-$10
Parent/Caregiver participation: Minimal
Screen required: No
Recommended age: 4-7 y/o
GoManda: A Vocabulary Education App Designed for Neurodivergent Learners
This activity is perfect for 1 player.
You Will Need:
An iPad or iPhone
GoManda App home subscription
How to Play:
Download the GoManda App
Create an account for your learner
Choose one of the hundreds of interest-led lessons for your learner to explore
Track your learner's progress as they play through the lessons of their choice
Your learners will have distraction-free and interest-led learning using photorealistic images, teaching them about colors, nouns, shapes, textures, and more! Interest-led activities nurture intrinsic motivation and activity engagement.
Cost: $9.99/month
Parent/Caregiver participation: Hands off
Screen required: Yes
Recommended age: 2-7 y/o
Rhythmic Syllables
This game is perfect for 2-4 players.
You Will Need:
Rhythm sticks (optional)
Word/Syllable Cards
Getting Ready:
You can purchase and print a set of picture syllable cards or create your own using images from your computer.
How to Play:
Music and rhythm can help children distinguish individual sounds and phonemes—practice tapping or clapping the syllables of different words using rhythm sticks or your hands.
Show your learner how to clap or tap the syllables while saying the word at the same time.
For example, if you have a picture of an elephant, you would clap or tap three times, once as you say each syllable, “el-e-phant”
Clapping or tapping provides sensory input that many neurodivergent preschoolers will enjoy. Alternatively, you could stomp or pat your knees.
Cost: Free - $3
Parent/Caregiver participation: Actively Involved
Screen required: No
Recommended age: 3-7 y/o
ABC Sensory Bin
This activity is perfect for 2-4 learners
You Will Need:
A large plastic tub or sensory table
A kid-friendly sensory material: rice, beans, sand, water beads, etc.
Letter magnets/blocks/foam shapes etc.
Various familiar items in toy form, i.e., food, vehicles, animals, shapes
How to Play:
Set up your sensory bin with your chosen sensory material and items.
Mix letters and familiar objects into the bin.
Encourage your learners to explore the sensory bin, name the items they find, and match the letter each item begins with.
Remember to use items that don’t pose a choking hazard and to observe young learners as they play with sensory materials. Consider your learner’s sensory preferences when choosing materials for their sensory bin.
Cost: Free -Varies based on materials
Parent/Caregiver participation: Minimal
Screen required: No
Recommended age: 2-7 y/o
Take Your Child’s Language and Literacy Development to the Next Level
Use these at-home literacy activities for preschoolers combined with GoManda to take your preschooler’s language and literacy development to the next level! GoManda is specially designed for neurodivergent learners and can be an excellent resource for early childhood vocabulary learning.
The GoManda App is currently available on IOS. Our Android version will be available soon! Try GoManda free with a 7-day trial and witness how it can help your neurodivergent preschooler build their vocabulary and literacy skills.